SP2 Kills PC & Windows XP Copyright

[MJ]

I did an incredibly dumb think last weekend. I installed Windows
Service Pack 2 because I was informed that it was vital to install the
security updates. My PC worked beautifully prior to SP2. It's a
homebuilt beauty with an Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard, two SATA 250
GB hard drives, 2 IDEs, a DVD and CD burner with 1.5 GB of RAM. In one
fell swoop it reduced my HD to rubble since it resulted in crashing
half my applications and then causing boot errors so that I couldn't
even boot into windows, repeated automatic restarts, inability to fix
using the worthless Recovery Console, resulting in my needing to
recover my data form lost partitions, move my data all over the
place... etc. etc. etc. what a bloody mess.

I'm still not finished figuring it out but in the process of trying to
resurrect my HD and reinstall windows through repair and then
reinstall over the existing installation of windows (kept crapping out
my PC), I have been informed that all my Windows XP "allocated
installs" are used up. I had to call MS, give them a very long code,
in order to obtain the ability to register my copy of XP. I'm told
that EVERY time that I may have to reinstall I can look forward to
this procedure and having to justify to Microsoft why I need another
install key from them.

Note to Microsoft: If this is an install issue then you should give me
another 20 automatically when I say the phrase "Windows XP required
full reinstalls after an 'update' caused my PC to crash and burn and
require formatting and attempted restore/reinstalls."

It's not a good feeling to be insecure about the fact that the money
you plunked down now requires justification for further installation
in the future.

 

[Tom]

I did an incredibly dumb think last weekend. I installed Windows
Service Pack 2 because I was informed that it was vital to install the
security updates. My PC worked beautifully prior to SP2. It's a
homebuilt beauty with an Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard, two SATA 250
GB hard drives, 2 IDEs, a DVD and CD burner with 1.5 GB of RAM. In one
fell swoop it reduced my HD to rubble since it resulted in crashing
half my applications and then causing boot errors so that I couldn't
even boot into windows, repeated automatic restarts, inability to fix
using the worthless Recovery Console, resulting in my needing to
recover my data form lost partitions, move my data all over the
place... etc. etc. etc. what a bloody mess.

I'm still not finished figuring it out but in the process of trying to
resurrect my HD and reinstall windows through repair and then
reinstall over the existing installation of windows (kept crapping out
my PC), I have been informed that all my Windows XP "allocated
installs" are used up. I had to call MS, give them a very long code,
in order to obtain the ability to register my copy of XP. I'm told
that EVERY time that I may have to reinstall I can look forward to
this procedure and having to justify to Microsoft why I need another
install key from them.

Note to Microsoft: If this is an install issue then you should give me
another 20 automatically when I say the phrase "Windows XP required
full reinstalls after an 'update' caused my PC to crash and burn and
require formatting and attempted restore/reinstalls."

It's not a good feeling to be insecure about the fact that the money
you plunked down now requires justification for further installation
in the future.

Sounds like a fairly new system, and totally up to specs for anything XP, including SP2, but you didn't prepare for it. You should have read here, or at MS for the "How Tos" for installing SP2 (or any major MS update/service pack) before installing it.

If your hard drive crapped out, then it is a hardware problem, and should be relegated to the manufacturer for warranty. SP2, Windows (or any software for that matter) doesn't break hardware, people do, or time does!

 

[Herb Fritatta]

-----Original Message-----



Sounds like a fairly new system, and totally up to specs

for anything XP, including SP2, but you didn't prepare for
it. You should have read here, or at MS for the "How Tos"
for installing SP2 (or any major MS update/service pack)
before installing it.

If your hard drive crapped out, then it is a hardware

problem, and should be relegated to the manufacturer for
warranty. SP2, Windows (or any software for that matter)
doesn't break hardware, people do, or time does!

.

You assume an awful lot. How do you know the OP didn't
properly prepare? I did, and I had very similar results.
And note that the OP doesn't say anything about
*mechanical* failure of his HD. The fact is, and I
learned this the hard way, you can have a system that's
running like a top, fully patched, fully protected,
defragged, etc., etc. and SP2 can still make a mess of it.
Just because *you* haven't had issues and *you* choose
to swallow the line of crap about the wonderful "stability"
of SP2 being spewed by MS and a few of the MVPs here
doesn't mean that everyone should. Consider yourself
fortunate, and remember that it's still early. My own
time bomb didn't go off until a week after installation.

 

[Wislu Plethora]

-----Original Message-----
I Installed sp2 no problems at all, I dont understand why so many have these
problems, I dont have one of them.
Rho_1r(VIP) not MVP

Well, you're a top-posting idiot, which is one problem
many don't have, but you do.

 

[MJ]

Sounds like a fairly new system, and totally up to specs for anything XP, including SP2, but you didn't prepare for it. You should have read here, or at MS for the "How Tos" for installing SP2 (or any major MS update/service pack) before installing it.

If your hard drive crapped out, then it is a hardware problem, and should be relegated to the manufacturer for warranty. SP2, Windows (or any software for that matter) doesn't break hardware, people do, or time does!

The hard drive works fine, as does every other component. I found out
the problem... afterwards. Apparently there is still an ongoing report
about incompatibilities with software that is not yet complete,
including video drivers, etc. I have no idea what caused the problem
but suffice it to say there is NO WAY that SP2 is being installed on
my machine for a very, very, very long time.

There was nothing any "How To" from MS could have helped me on this
one since after the reboot is when these problems sent me into a
spiraling trail of autoreboots, each one earlier than the prior until
I had no choice.

 

[Unknown]

And you're an obnoxious idiot for making responses like that.

 

[Wislu Plethora]

-----Original Message-----
Well I couldn't prepapre cos it just automatically started and I knew nothing
of the SP or precautions.

I think you probably had to agree to a EULA before
installation didn't you? I don't think the auto download
of SP2 installs without that. If so, then you agreed to
something before knowing what you were agreeing to, so
you have no room to complain.

 

[Tom]

for anything XP, including SP2, but you didn't prepare for
it. You should have read here, or at MS for the "How Tos"
for installing SP2 (or any major MS update/service pack)
before installing it.
problem, and should be relegated to the manufacturer for
warranty. SP2, Windows (or any software for that matter)
doesn't break hardware, people do, or time does!

You assume an awful lot. How do you know the OP didn't
properly prepare?

OP didn't state that she did prepare!

I did, and I had very similar results.
And note that the OP doesn't say anything about
*mechanical* failure of his HD.

The OP stated exactly that:
"In one fell swoop it reduced my HD to rubble"

HD to rubble sounds like destruction of the HD to me; software CANNOT destroy hardware.

In any case, you complain about my reply due to your reading comprehension problems. But the OP did reply that she didn't lose the HD, so that was overblown on her part. Again, software CANNOT hurt hardware, only other softwares/drivers.

The fact is, and I
learned this the hard way, you can have a system that's
running like a top, fully patched, fully protected,
defragged, etc., etc. and SP2 can still make a mess of it.

That is a fact, but very minimal for the many, and most (like 99.99%) bad cases are ill prepared installs, and not reading facts and preparations before installing SP2. It is clearly stated on the SP2 MS site what to do, and TO BACK UP ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DATA.

You could simply put in a new driver from your card MF, and it could crash your system to that which could require a total install, it is the nature of things in the PC world, and they happen, and MS would still be the blame. Bitching about them, especially from not backing up one's data is not my problem, but I would help with it if I could.

Just because *you* haven't had issues and *you* choose
to swallow the line of crap about the wonderful "stability"
of SP2 being spewed by MS and a few of the MVPs here
doesn't mean that everyone should. Consider yourself
fortunate, and remember that it's still early. My own
time bomb didn't go off until a week after installation.

Oh please! The OP has almost the same system I do, and I didn't any problems whatsoever. Many hardware MFs have updates for SP2 for their drivers. But still, the OP didn't check out here, or the MS sites regarding what to do. This isn't some little program that you install and run, it is a major update, and anyone with a modicum of PC knowledge would have troubled themselves with READING before INSTALLING!

 

[Tom]

The hard drive works fine, as does every other component. I found out
the problem... afterwards. Apparently there is still an ongoing report
about incompatibilities with software that is not yet complete,
including video drivers, etc. I have no idea what caused the problem
but suffice it to say there is NO WAY that SP2 is being installed on
my machine for a very, very, very long time.

There was nothing any "How To" from MS could have helped me on this
one since after the reboot is when these problems sent me into a
spiraling trail of autoreboots, each one earlier than the prior until
I had no choice.

You did have a choice, that was to prepare. Not having a choice means you were forced to have SP2 installed without preparing. Here are a few MS sites regarding preparations:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;windowsxpsp2

Here is a list of programs that MAY NOT function properly using SP2
(Updated 9/9)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=884130&product=windowsxpsp2

There is an alphabetical list of hardware/softweare vendors and their respective websites located at the bottom of this web page (as well as the list of programs in this page), that are list under three different links (one link for example is for hardware/software listed alphabetically A-K, and so on).

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242

 

[Herb Fritatta]

-----Original Message-----

"Herb Fritatta" <[email protected]>

wrote in message [email protected]...

OP didn't state that she did prepare!


The OP stated exactly that:
"In one fell swoop it reduced my HD to rubble"

HD to rubble sounds like destruction of the HD to me;

software CANNOT destroy hardware.

In any case, you complain about my reply due to your

reading comprehension problems. But the OP did reply that
she didn't lose the HD, so that was overblown on her part.
Again, software CANNOT hurt hardware, only other
softwares/drivers.

it.

That is a fact, but very minimal for the many, and most

(like 99.99%) bad cases are ill prepared installs, and not
reading facts and preparations before installing SP2. It
is clearly stated on the SP2 MS site what to do, and TO
BACK UP ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DATA.

You could simply put in a new driver from your card MF,

and it could crash your system to that which could require
a total install, it is the nature of things in the PC
world, and they happen, and MS would still be the blame.
Bitching about them, especially from not backing up one's
data is not my problem, but I would help with it if I
could.

Oh please! The OP has almost the same system I do, and I

didn't any problems whatsoever. Many hardware MFs have
updates for SP2 for their drivers. But still, the OP
didn't check out here, or the MS sites regarding what to
do. This isn't some little program that you install and
run, it is a major update, and anyone with a modicum of PC
knowledge would have troubled themselves with READING
before INSTALLING!

.

This is almost too stupid for words. What are is a
hardware "MF"? I know what "mf" stands for in my
neighborhood, but I think maybe you meant "mfg."

The OP didn't state that she did prepare? So this
automatically means that she (he?)didn't? Nice logic. I
said you were assuming too much, and you were. Same goes
for the HD situation. You assumed mechanical failure when
there was none in evidence. *My* reading comprehension
problems? And once again, in a shining piece of
evidence of your own inability to think straight, you say
that you have "almost" the same system as the OP, and
everything is fine. That's what's known as a nonsequitur.
Also, keep in mind that a few days ago, I could have made
the same statement, at least insofar as no problems with
SP2 is concerned.
And look, genius, I read everything there was to read
before the update, not only did I read it, but I did so
with a reasonable level of comprehension and experience.
Provide a reliable source for your 99.9% figure, or go
put your head back up your ass.

 

[Tom]

This is almost too stupid for words. What are is a
hardware "MF"? I know what "mf" stands for in my
neighborhood, but I think maybe you meant "mfg."

LMAO! MF is (my) short response for manufacturer (mfg is short for manufacturing), as you said you thought (is that possible for you?), but you felt the need to make yourself sound stupid, and think it was something else! While you're on the "This is too stupid" thing, what kind of "stupid English" questions is, "What are is a hardware "MF"?"

"are is a" Bwahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!

The OP didn't state that she did prepare? So this
automatically means that she (he?)didn't? Nice logic. I
said you were assuming too much, and you were. Same goes
for the HD situation. You assumed mechanical failure when
there was none in evidence. *My* reading comprehension
problems? And once again, in a shining piece of
evidence of your own inability to think straight, you say
that you have "almost" the same system as the OP, and
everything is fine. That's what's known as a nonsequitur.
Also, keep in mind that a few days ago, I could have made
the same statement, at least insofar as no problems with
SP2 is concerned.

Really, your inability to explain away "HD to rubble" speaks volumes, but what about "non sequitur" (it is two separate words , stupid!), do you really know the meaning of that term?

And look, genius, I read everything there was to read
before the update, not only did I read it, but I did so
with a reasonable level of comprehension and experience.
Provide a reliable source for your 99.9% figure, or go
put your head back up your ass.

Your penchant for ad-hominems is testament to your inability to do simple PC setups. You can search my posts for %s, I won't do it for you. If I am a genius, I more than exemplify the compliment, since I did EXACTLY the preparations that you didn't, while you blame others for your screw-ups!

 

[Herb Fritatta]

-----Original Message-----

"Herb Fritatta" <[email protected]>

wrote in message [email protected]...

LMAO! MF is (my) short response for manufacturer (mfg is

short for manufacturing), as you said you thought (is that
possible for you?), but you felt the need to make yourself
sound stupid, and think it was something else! While
you're on the "This is too stupid" thing, what kind
of "stupid English" questions is, "What are is a
hardware "MF"?"

Actually, "mfg." is an acceptable abbreviation for
"manufacturer" although it makes no sense. Try and find
me a source for "MF" as you used it.

"are is a" Bwahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!

Typo. Mea culpa.

Really, your inability to explain away "HD to rubble"

speaks volumes, but what about "non sequitur" (it is two
separate words , stupid!), do you really know the meaning
of that term?

Jesus. Have you ever heard of a metaphor? A figure of
speech? Did you think that the OP's HD was a *literal*
pile of rubble? I read it as "something bad happened."
Nothing more. Suppose the OP had said, "My HD was reduced
to ashes." Would you recommend keeping a fire
extinguisher handy? And I am aware of the proper form of
"non sequitur." Another typo. Mea culpa again. But you
still haven't explained how one part of your thinking
logically led to the next.

Your penchant for ad-hominems is testament to your

inability to do simple PC setups. You can search my posts
for %s, I won't do it for you. If I am a genius, I more
than exemplify the compliment, since I did EXACTLY the
preparations that you didn't, while you blame others for
your screw-ups!

You have no way of knowing what preparation I did or
didn't do. You suggested that 99.9% of "bad cases" are
due to "ill-prepared" (I added the dash for you)installs.
I asked you for evidence of same. I screwed nothing up. I
was as well-prepared as it's possible to be except that I
didn't have a drive image to fall back on. I did have a
good data backup, however. The fact that I had to do a
complete reinstall rather than just having to restore an
image is my fault.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, MJ.

Did you read all the instructions and fine print (Your munged email address
suggests that you are a lawyer.) as carefully as you apparently read about
the difference between activation and registration?

installs" are used up. I had to call MS, give them a very long code,
in order to obtain the ability to register my copy of XP.

Registration is NEVER required. Activation IS required. REactivation is
not required unless your hardware has changed significantly since the prior
activation within 120 days. WinXP allows unlimited reinstallations on "the
same" computer. For details, see:
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation.mspx

I won't get into the rest of your tirade. Just this much is enough to make
me wonder about your competence to install, manage and run that nice
computer, which does, indeed, sound like a "homebuilt beauty". WinXP SP2
runs just fine on my new EPoX 8KDA3+/AMD Athlon 64 3200+/1GB RAM (with SCSI
and 2 IDE drives, DVD-ROM and DVD burner; SATA and RAID are built in, but I
don't use them yet; etc.). Reactivation (painlessly via Internet) was
required when I upgraded the mobo/CPU in July, but NOT when I installed SP2
in August.

And literally MILLIONS of other users around the world - including many
newbies - have installed SP2; only a few have had problems with it. Except
for the documented problem with 64-bit AMD and DEP (easily fixed with a
simple edit in boot.ini), I had no problems. SP2 was installed in less than
one hour.

All this is not to deny that you really did and still do have problems or
that they are serious. Some installers have reported serious problems.
Microsoft would like to hear specific details about those cases so that the
problems can be solved, either by pointing you to already-known solutions or
by working with you to identify and solve previously-unknown problems. Have
you been to the Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) Support Center? It's at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?&pr=windowsxpsp2

If you will detail your specific problems, chances are someone here can help
you figure out how to deal with them.

Why does your subject line mention the "Windows XP Copyright"?

RC

 

[Tom]

wrote in message [email protected]...
short for manufacturing), as you said you thought (is that
possible for you?), but you felt the need to make yourself
sound stupid, and think it was something else! While
you're on the "This is too stupid" thing, what kind
of "stupid English" questions is, "What are is a
hardware "MF"?"

Actually, "mfg." is an acceptable abbreviation for
"manufacturer" although it makes no sense. Try and find
me a source for "MF" as you used it.

No, "mfg" is not an acceptable form, technically "mfr" is the right usage in this instance; your attempts at being a pedant, is beginning to show your intelligence. I stated (already), that MF is just my usage for this case (to be quick), you can either ignore it, or continue to understand it as such. But as long as you continue to use the wrong abbreviation as being "correct", then I'll continue to ignore your technical nitpicking of terms and abbreviations?

As far as your claim that I didn't follow through, I did according to the OP, and I am not going through the whole thing again, just to satisfy your ego. You read what she said, it was very clear, that she gave no detail of what she did (as for anything to prepare) before SP2, other than just download and install SP2 on first notice of it being needed.

Reading your other posts concerning these issues, it is obvious that you will not be satisfied with any one person's explanation, or thoughts unless it suits your emotional state du jour. You remind me of some creationist science deniers. No matter what real evidence is given to them, they explain it away as lies, and the evidence is not acceptable, until it matches their beliefs!

 

[SlowJet]

Why would the bleeding edge hurt any less than the trailing edge?

The software all has to be in a compatible STACK.
Have you every odrered one of each type of pancke?
Not exactly the Bell cruve breakfast, would you think?

Yes, new stuff is just as clunky as old stuff.

SJ

This is the 2nd time I see this comment from you.... so please understand,
not all machines are created equally. (Dell 3.06 Ghz, 2 ea. LCD, 1Gig Ram,
WD
80gig)

My example is that I can document some specific problems with SP2.
Examples:
The latest NVidia driver. Some advanced window handling features will not
initialize without an error on SP2. They worked perfectly with SP1.
(Quadro
NVS).

The security warnings crop up even though the JavaScript is running
locally,
on a web app that is communicating to a database on the same machine, (no
network access, not even intranet - AND, scripts, even unsigned, are
enabled).

Windows Explorer, (not IE! ... and not just the File Mgr. window... I mean
Explorer that runs the desktop), locks up. I can kill the process, start
a
new session in a cmd window and go right back to work, but....)

Video now causes BSoD (Blue Screen of Death). This is true in several
different apps, (Pinnacle, QuickTime, and Irfanview - Is it the graphics
driver? [again... worked fine on SP1]).

I went through the "get ready for SP2". I ran one week on SP1 with all
updated drivers to ensure no problems. I had zero errors on install.

This machine is (used to be) on 24X7. I schedule a cleanup and then
reboot
every Sunday night. I am now researching drivers, doing a cleanup every
day,
and consider myself lucky if I can get through a days work without having
to
reboot at least once.

I work in I.S. I have advised our service group not to install SP2 until
more research is done on driver compatibility, especially regards graphics
and the functionality of our home-grown Web Apps.
STATEMENT: SP2 is not as robust as SP1. Depending on the driver
combinations, installed software base, etc., you may or may not experience
these problems, but SP2 is not as robust as SP1.

I Installed sp2 no problems at all, I dont understand why so many have
these
problems, I dont have one of them.
Rho_1r(VIP) not MVP

 

[RRR_News]

For those considering using the Repair Recovery feature of XP, and have already installed SP2. I would recommend that you first uninstall SP2, then do the repair.

There was a similar problem with PC owners when they installed Win98SE w/IE5.01 on their PC. If they upgraded their version IE, they had a problem, when they tried to reinstall OS over itself. The reinstallation tried to put an earlier version of IE back onto the PC. Which caused the reinstallation not to work properly. The upgraded version had to be uninstalled first.

Also before, and after an SP2 installation, make sure that you check for hadware/software updates. I had to reinstall Flash Player7 after installing SP2.

Also after the SP2 installation, take a few minutes and go through the IE/OE Option tabs, and check out the changes there. You may have to reset some of the features, to the way you like these programs to work.
--

Add MS to your News Reader: news://msnews.microsoft.com
Rich/rerat

(RRR News) <message rule>
<<Previous Text Snipped to Save Bandwidth When Appropriate>>

 

[MJ]

You did have a choice, that was to prepare. Not having a choice means you were forced to have SP2 installed without preparing. Here are a few MS sites regarding preparations:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;windowsxpsp2

Here is a list of programs that MAY NOT function properly using SP2
(Updated 9/9)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=884130&product=windowsxpsp2

There is an alphabetical list of hardware/softweare vendors and their respective websites located at the bottom of this web page (as well as the list of programs in this page), that are list under three different links (one link for example is for hardware/software listed alphabetically A-K, and so on).

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242

A) You ass ume that all the vendors and their products are listed.

B) You also expect the ability to uninstall in some fashion in the
event that the results are not as expected.

C) I didn't expect to lose all my installs of Windows XP reinstalling
it, regardless of whether you think I was or was not prepared, now
having all these wonderful documents after the fact. I didn't even
know of the installs issue and THAT is what is ticking me off even
more than having to reformat my entire system. What is this crap of my
having to call MS every time I need to install Windows? Given Windows'
inability to easily deal with the crap spewed by applications and
add-ons, unlike a Mac, I find True Image imaging a major need to do
every few months to ensure the system is smooth.

 

[MJ]

Hi, MJ.

Did you read all the instructions and fine print (Your munged email address
suggests that you are a lawyer.) as carefully as you apparently read about
the difference between activation and registration?


Registration is NEVER required. Activation IS required. REactivation is
not required unless your hardware has changed significantly since the prior
activation within 120 days. WinXP allows unlimited reinstallations on "the
same" computer. For details, see:
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation.mspx

Apparently you think you're a real sharp wit. Obnoxious will not get
you far. To begin, do you think I really give a hoot about whether
it's called activation and registration on a technical basis? OK, you
got me and you can brag about it Friday night when you get together
with your friends.

Now before you start calling my words I've strung together a "tirade"
(oops, too late) maybe you should have read a little more closely to
realize that NO HARDWARE WAS CHANGED yet I received the
message that I needed to get a new key to activate Windows XP.
(I hope the terminology is clear.) The bottom line is that I have to
now start making calls and explaining myself like I did at 2am because
WinXP apparently does NOT allow unlimited reinstallations on the same
computer. Perhaps you can tell me, is the experience I had a bug or a
feature of WinXP?

In addition, if all the fine print is so important, why doesn't MS
have this information on the download page in big letters? The only
thing resembling a warning I see is the following:

"Read technical details about SP2, including what's new in SP2, how to
deploy SP2, and how to manage an environment with SP2. "

I won't get into the rest of your tirade. Just this much is enough to make
me wonder about your competence to install, manage and run that nice

Arrogance is a very bad characteristic but I'm too busy to ponder why
you feel the need to let us know how smart you think you are. A little
humility might be good as well as adding something of value.

And literally MILLIONS of other users around the world - including many
newbies - have installed SP2; only a few have had problems with it. Except
for the documented problem with 64-bit AMD and DEP (easily fixed with a
simple edit in boot.ini), I had no problems. SP2 was installed in less than
one hour.

It seems that you don't get out much. After reading posts on the web
boards from professional people it seems that SP2 has been wreaking
quite a bit of havoc since release. Unless you are running a bare
bones system you are likely to have some problems. Heck, even
Microsoft apps are affected by problems in SP2!!!! My mistake was not
really researching all of this in areas OTHER than Microsoft's site.

Why does your subject line mention the "Windows XP Copyright"?

If you read carefully and comprehend rather than thinking
pedagogically, you'd appreciate the fact that if Windows XP didn't
have the copyright protection scheme attached to it, I wouldn't have
to go through the hassle that I will now have to deal with every time
I need to reinstall/restore and be subject to questioning as to why
I'm calling. Perhaps I'll find that day where I'll be challenged that
my use isn't perceived as valid... send up your contact info. Perhaps
you can explain to them that if I didn't change any of hardware I
shouldn't be having this problem.

 

[MJ]

I apologize. You are correct MpM but cannot recall my post. As I'm not
a newbie I got mad rather than scared.

I'm not sure what the problem was but notwithstanding my need to
perhaps do research on sites other than Microsoft's, I'm still at a
loss as to how I'm now needing to get a new very long activation key
at every future install since I never changed the hardware. It's a bit
disconcerting making the call at 2AM or so and then be confronted with
the reality of defending your need to ask for the key...

 

[Herb Fritatta]

No, "mfg" is not an acceptable form, technically "mfr" is the right usage in this instance; your attempts at being a pedant, is beginning to show your intelligence. I stated (already), that MF is just my usage for this case (to be quick), you can either ignore it, or continue to understand it as such. But as long as you continue to use the wrong abbreviation as being "correct", then I'll continue to ignore your technical nitpicking of terms and abbreviations?

As far as your claim that I didn't follow through, I did according to the OP, and I am not going through the whole thing again, just to satisfy your ego. You read what she said, it was very clear, that she gave no detail of what she did (as for anything to prepare) before SP2, other than just download and install SP2 on first notice of it being needed.

Reading your other posts concerning these issues, it is obvious that you will not be satisfied with any one person's explanation, or thoughts unless it suits your emotional state du jour. You remind me of some creationist science deniers. No matter what real evidence is given to them, they explain it away as lies, and the evidence is not acceptable, until it matches their beliefs!

OK, let's summarize. You misinterpreted the OP and responded based on
unwarranted presumption. You have referred to the OP as "she" for no
apparent reason. You then accused me of being ill-prepared in installing
SP2 without having a shred of evidence upon which to base the
accusation. You have posted an absurd unsupported assertion--that 99.9%
of SP2 trouble is due to "ill prepared" installs. (I understand that
this is an exaggeration for effect, or at least I hope it is.) I think
this all speaks very eloquently for itself.